Ch 9: The Confederation and the Constitution 1776-1790 “This example of changing the Constitution by assembling the wise men of the state, instead of assembling armies, will be worth as much to the world as the former examples we have given it.” ~Thomas Jefferson

Things to consider: Was the American Revolution a radical change? What made the Revolution an accelerated evolution? How did the Patriots “normal” life carry on? How did life change for the Patriots? Essential Questions for review from Ch 8: What is revolution? Was the American Revolution revolutionary? What price freedom?

Pursuit of Equality What’s in a name? Changes in addressing people (Mr., Mrs., Boss) Even indentured servants has raised status Social Democracy -Growth of trade organizations -Changed inheritance laws Separation of Church & State -Anglican Church ostracized (why?) Renamed the Protestant Episcopal Church

Pursuit of Equality (cont’d) Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Written By T. Jeff Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause Basically, the forerunner to the 1st amendment Slavery Challenged Philadelphia Quakers=first antislavery society Continental Congress (1774) called for abolishment of slave trade Northern states abolished slavery outright Some Virginian plantation owners freed their slaves Slavery/Racial Issue Unsolved States south of PA refused to abolish slavery Harsh discrimination for black and freed slaves, even in North EX: no interracial marriages; barred from certain jobs, not allowed to educate their children, cannot purchase property

Pursuit of Equality (cont’d) Why did the Founding Fathers refuse to eliminate the blemish of slavery? Think about: Political Intellectual Geographic Technological Economic Art Religion Social/Cultural Read bottom of page 167

Pursuit of Equality (cont’d) Women’s rights Served in the military Short-term voting rights in 1776 Reasons for Women’s restrictions: Mothers are the epitome of unselfishness Should be home educating children Should be a model of “republican” behavior Thus was born the “Republican Motherhood” Educational opportunities arise But only so the women would cultivate better republican behavior from their spouses, daughters, & sons Read and analyze p. 169 Think about how this new “role” for women was essential in holding the fragile nation together.

Constitution Making in the States Continental Congress of 1776: Colonies draft shall their own constitutions Constitution writers tirelessly attempt to keep the republican spirit in effect What does this mean? Some Common Features: -Defined powers of government -Authority from the people -Written documents meant to be superior to the whims of legislative changes without consent -Bill of Rights -Election of legislators -weak executive and judicial branches (why was this important?)

Character of the State Legislators Many members from poor backgrounds Very different from pre-Revolution period Also had new powers unknown to them before Members had tremendous influence in moving state capitals Why would this be important and/or necessary? Also, why would this make conservatives verrry uncomfortable? TJ said, “173 despots [in a legislature] would surely be as oppressive as one’” What did he mean?

Economic Crosscurrents States take back land owned by the crown Loyalists’ holding split up and sold Good imported from Britain cut off Yankees make their own goods Industry pops up Ingenious use of natural resources for manufacturing Drawbacks: -American ships barred from British & British West Indies harbors -Fisheries lose money Benefits: -Trade w/foreign nations freely -Forged relationships with foreigners (like China)

Economic Crosscurrents (cont’d) Downsides: War spawned huge deficit and inflation States borrowed more than they could repay (sounds like Illinois, huh?) Class “switch” Previous wealthy now destitute Previous destitute now wealthy Why does this make an unhealthy economic and social atmosphere?

A Shaky Start Toward Union Responsibility for creating a completely new form of government A lasting union was far from bright “Natural Rights” created an atmosphere of distrust among those without power Allegiance to the common cause off to a shaky start British manufacturers manage to flood the American market with their goods, despite the embargo Yet, there’s still hope… -Similar governmental structures proved a bond -Political life possible, not just the elite -Brilliant political minds (GW; TJ; BF; JA)

Creating a Confederation 1776, Congress appoints a committee to draft a written constitution for the nation Enter: Articles of Confederation Adopted in 1777 Not ratified in all states until 1781 A few months before the victory at Yorktown Learn more: http://www.usconstitution.net/articles.html

Creating a Confederation (cont’d) Why did it take so long to ratify? Ownership of western lands in question Land-hungry states claim since all fought for independence, land distribution should be more fair Land-rich states could sell extraordinary amount of land to help pay their debts Land-hungry states would need to tax themselves heavily to pay their debts See map on page 172 What are your views on the land question?

Creating a Confederation (cont’d) One solution: turn over all western lands to the central government Not all states agreed (unanimous approval necessary) Maryland wouldn’t cave until NY ceded its western claims Congress promises to give the areas for the “common good” Also promises to make the new lands “republican” states, not colonies (what does this mean?) p 171

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 What it means: A process for admitting these territories to the Union as states. Each territory was to be governed by Congress until it contained 5,000 free, white males. Settlers could vote whether to become a permanent state. The Northwest Ordinance also abolished slavery in the territories Granted freedom of religion and the right to trial by jury. Although the ordinance promised decent treatment to Native Americans, it did not.